Spectacle and like frame



June 3, 1924.

E. DE M. SPYER SPEGTACLE AND LIKE FRAME Filed June 28. 1923 Patented June 3, 11924.

entree stares PATENTQFFHQE.

ETHEL DE IVIETZ SPYER, OF QROWBOROUGH ENGLAND.

SPECTACLE AND LIKE Application filed June 28, 1923. Serial No. 648,243.

\ To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ETHEL DE METZ Srrnn, a subject of the King of England, and residing at Crowborough, Sussex, in a England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spectacle and like Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to spectacle and W like frames formed of tortoiseshell and similar substances. I

Hitherto the side arms of spectacle frames have been formed from two pieces of metal pivoted together so as to fold inwards when 35 not in use but as at present made the side arms of tortoiseshell and like spectacle frames are formed from a single piece of material, and not only does this necessitate the employment of a large and bulky case 20 for carrying purposes, but it materially adds to the cost of the frame owing to the diiiicultyexperienced in securing sufliciently long pieces of tortoiseshell for the side arms.

According to this invention each side arm is formed from two short pieces of tortoiseshellpivotally connected together so as to fold inwards when the spectacles are not in use. Owing to the natural bow or at curvature of the side members, the free ends, i. e. those furthest fromthe glasses, can fold inwards and thus lie parallel to the other ortions of the side members and between t ese members and the glasses without increasing the thickness of the carrying case and at the same time they enable the length of the case to be reduced. by some inches to that of the overall width of the lens frames. 1

The particular form of joint or pivotal connection between the two portions of each side arm may vary, but preferably a knuckle.

joint is provided of such a nature that when the arms are opened and in position for use 45 the arm will present a perfectly smooth and unbroken appearance on all sides, the position and nature of the'joint thus preventing any tendency for the hair of the wearer being caughtin the ivotal joint.

Preferably the adjacent end; of the two side portions are slit longitudinally in a plane at ap roximately right angles to the lenses and t ese two portions are connected together by means of a plate the ends of the plate lying in the slits and being connected to each of the side arms by means matte arm being partly open and the other fully open, and

Figure 2 is a plan showing one arm closed and the other 1n its open position.

In the construction shown the frame comprises the usual lens holders A connected together by means of a bridge piece A and provided with lateral projecting lugs A all formed from a single piece; of realor imitation tortoiseshell or like material. The

lateral lugs A carry the hinges B by means of which the side arms are connected to the lens holders and adapted to fold down thereon.

In the present instance each side arm comprises two pieces of tortoiseshell C, D the adjacent ends of these members being slit longitudinally to receive the ends of a plate of silver or similar metal-E. The ends of the plate are pivotally connected by pins.

C, D to the members C and D respectively. As shown the adjacent ends of the members C and D are rounded and the plate E is so shaped as to cooperate with the ends of the slits to limit the extent to which the side members G and D vcan be turned thus forming a knuckle joint between them.

In the particular example illustrated the ends of the plate E are inclined to engage the ends of the slits in the members C and D these slits being in a plane approximately at right angles to that of the lenses and the distance between the pivots being such that when the side members are folded the end members D lie beneath and substannee tially parallelto the other members C which are connected by the hinges B to the lens frame. l v

It will be understood that the invention or some other flexible material. -For example, those portions of the side members which make contact with the wearers face may be of tortoiseshell and flexible portions may be provided on the ends of the tortoiseshell members to engage the ears. In this and other arrangements, if desired, the folding portion of the side member may be hinged to the standing portion of the side member in a plane at rlght angles to that above described although the arrangement in which the pivotal joint is in a plane approximately at right angles to the lens is preferably employed. The term tortoiseshell includes imitations or substitutes therefor of a like nature.

iaeaaeo What I claim as In invention and desire to secure by Letters atent is':'

In a spectacle frame the combination with apair of lens holders, a bridge member connecting said lens holders and side arms hinged to the holders, each side arm comprising two pieces of tortoiseshell, said pieces being slit longitudinally at their ad- 1acent ends, in a plane approximately at right angles to that of the lenses, a plate engaging the slits and a pivot connecting each tortoiseshell member to the part of the plate within its slit and thus constituting a knuckle j oint permitting the tortoiseshell members to fold inwards and presenting a smooth and unbroken appearance when the 'arms are open.

ETHEL DE METZ SPYER. 

